Reading Football Club can confirm that conversations are ongoing with Michael Hector and Jake Taylor with regards to the duo staying at the club.

Both players see their contracts expire at the end of the 2013/14 campaign.

Hector began the current season with a loan spell at Aberdeen, making 18 (+2) appearances in the Scottish Premiership. He returned to Madejski Stadium in January, making his Royals debut in the victory over Bolton, before starting for the first time in a 1-1 draw away to Brighton. He has played at both centre back and in central midfield under Nigel Adkins, and was named man of the match during our 1-1 home draw with Leicester City.

Midfielder Taylor has been with the Royals since the age of eight and made nine appearances this season, having earned his Royals debut back in 2011. He has now played 1(+10) games in a Reading shirt, with 48(+19) career games in total, scoring four goals.

Discussions with the club’s other out of contract Under 21 players will be held in due course.

During the course of this season, Academy players Aaron Kuhl, Jack Stacey, Liam Kelly and Dominic Hyam all signed professional deals at the club. Fellow Under 21 players Craig Tanner, Niall Keown, Pierce Sweeney, Tariqe Fosu and Jake Cooper are among those already secured on professional contracts.